Mac Lochlainn: 'Shocking' that couples require €85,000 to afford a home in Donegal

The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland has calculated that it now costs €354,000 to build this basic family home in Donegal and that a first-time buyer couple would have to earn €85,000 to afford this mortgage.

Donegal Sinn Féin TD, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has described the research as “shocking” that a working couple in Donegal would have to earn €85,000 before they can afford to purchase a 3-bedroom semi-detached home in the county 

“€85,000 a year. That’s what a working couple must earn in Donegal before they can afford a basic family home,” Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said.

 “This is a shocking finding. How many working couples in Donegal earn €85,000? We desperately need a plan to build affordable housing across Donegal, but this government has repeatedly failed to ensure that this happens,” Deputy Mac Lochlainn said.

“With the dramatic increases in rent across Donegal, it is no wonder that so many of our young people are emigrating again.

“In the past, our young people emigrated because they couldn’t get a job in Donegal now, they are emigrating because they can’t afford to put a secure roof over their head. This is disastrous for our society and communities”.

“A family earning over €30,000 can not go on the social housing list, so what does a family earning between €30,000 and €85,000 do in Donegal? Sinn Féin has again and again called on the government to build affordable housing on public land in Donegal and to freeze rents for 3 years. 

“They have refused to listen every time. It is absolutely clear that only a change of government will turn this profound crisis around.”